Supportive Services Policy

Transcription

1 NWPA WDB POLICY Rev. Level: F Supportive Services Policy The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires the local workforce development board (LWDB) to develop a policy regarding supportive services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth. The regulations include services such as transportation, childcare, dependent care and needs-related payments. Based on individual assessment and availability of funds, supportive services may be awarded to eligible participants. Supportive service awards are intended to enable an individual to participate in workforce-funded programs and activities to secure and retain employment. Supportive services are provided on the basis of need as determined by the Title I program services contractor(s). Eligible adults include individuals who are receiving some form of public assistance or have incomes at or below the self-sufficiency standards for the NWPA WDB. Eligible dislocated workers are individuals determined eligible for WIOA enrollment under the dislocated worker provisions. Supportive services are provided on the basis of need and eligibility, as determined by the Title I program services contractor(s). SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR ADULTS/DISLOCATED WORKERS The total amount of supportive services (not to include needs-related payments) per adult/dislocated worker participant is $ annually, unless additional grant funding is available. Annually is defined as 365 days from when they request and are awarded the supportive service(s). Supportive services can be provided, but are not limited to, the following: a) Transportation (see below for more detail) b) Clothing (as required and necessary for job) c) Physical (as required for job) d) License Fee (i.e. CDL, certification fees, GED/high school equivalency fees, clearances, stackable credential fees as required for job) e) Day Care (including elder care) Transportation support services must be provided on actual mileage to and from work or training at the established federal rate. This reimbursement rate will be updated as the federal rate changes. Transportation costs can also include bus and parking passes and tolls. Gas cards may be purchased and utilized; when applicable and appropriate, the amount reimbursed must be based on actual mileage 1

2 Documentation of mileage reimbursement must be recorded, signed and collected from each participant and placed in the participant file of anyone that received reimbursement SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR YOUTH The total amount of supportive services per eligible youth participant must not exceed $ annually. Annually is defined as 365 days from when they request and are awarded the supportive service(s). Supportive services for youth are defined as services such as transportation, child care, and dependent care that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in activities authorized under Title I. Supportive services for youth may include: a) Linkages to community services b) Assistance with transportation c) Assistance with child care and dependent care d) Assistance with housing e) Referrals to medical services f) Assistance with uniforms or other appropriate work attire and work-related tools, including such items as eye glasses and protective eye gear Supportive services may be provided to youth based on specific need as determined allowable and appropriate by the program services contractor(s). Participant case notes must document the form of supportive services provided and the date of issuance. The program services contractor(s) must maintain accurate documentation of all supportive services provided to participants. ELIGIBILITY The supportive services listed above may only be provided to individuals who are: 1) Participating in programs with activities authorized under WIOA; and 2) Unable to obtain supportive services through other programs providing such services PAYMENT OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES Supportive service funding must be budgeted annually by the Title I program services contractor(s). Payments of supportive services will be managed through the Title I program services contractor, and payments will be made directly to the provider of the supportive services. Needs-related payments will be made directly to the participant. The LWDB will ensure that a line item for the administration of supportive services and needs-related payments is included in the program service contractor s budget. DOCUMENTATION Program service providers are required to maintain documentation sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this policy. At a minimum this includes: 2

3 1) Determination of participant s request for supportive services and/or training reimbursement items or goods in case notes or form stating the reason services are necessary; 2) Case notes determining that program contractor(s) have attempted to use other resources before WIOA supportive services dollars are authorized; 3) Determination of program services contractor s approval of participant requests in case notes or form; 4) Records of payments, including date of receipt, the amount of payment, check/voucher number, validated by signature of the participant; 5) If applicable, bus ticket logs signed by the participant and the case manager; 6) Supporting documents such as payroll receipts, redeemed checks or vouchers paying for the goods or services, travel log; 7) In the case of daycare services, documentation of other resources explored. The LWDB will ensure that internal controls are in place that result in equitable treatment, maximize the allocations, and ensure coordination with, and referral of participants to, other community resources. NWPA WDB or its program oversight staff has the authority to grant exceptions to participants on a case-by-case basis if additional supportive services allocation would significantly benefit the individual in job retention, wage progression, or training completion in order to achieve job retention or wage progression. When additional grant funding outside of WIOA formula funding has been received and budgeted in the local workforce development area that allows for supportive services to be paid as part of the grant, the limitation on the maximum amount to be paid per participant can be lifted. Non-WIOA funded programs may have different support service guidelines than those listed above. In these instances, grant guidelines should be followed. The LWDB will regularly monitor its program service contractors with regard to the delivery of supportive services and needs-related payments to participants through review of documentation in participant files, the system of record (CWDS), as well as financial records and documentation. Priority must be given to enrolled eligible veterans and their spouses under the Jobs for Veterans Act. If program and service resources are limited, then the veteran or spouse is given priority. NOTE: This does not mean that the veteran or spouse is given bumping rights over others who are already receiving supportive services. NEEDS-RELATED PAYMENTS Needs-related payments provide financial assistance to participants for the purpose of enabling individuals to participate in training and are one of the supportive services authorized by WIOA Section 134(d)(3). Needs-related payments must be administered in a manner that is fair and equitable to all participants within the established parameters set by federal and state statutes, regulations, grant agreements, policies, and procedures. Adults: 3

4 To be eligible to receive needs-related payments, adults must: 1) Be unemployed 2) Not qualify for, or have ceased qualifying for, unemployment compensation 3) Be enrolled in a program of training services under WIOA Title Ib Dislocated Workers: To be eligible to receive needs-related payments, dislocated workers must: 1) Be unemployed; and 2) Have ceased to qualify for unemployment compensation or trade readjustment allowance under TAA; and 3) Be enrolled in a program of training services under WIOA Section 134 (c)(3) by the end of the 13 th week after the most recent layoff that resulted in a determination of the worker s eligibility as a dislocated worker, or, if later, by the end of the 8 th week after the worker is informed that a short-term layoff will exceed six months; or 4) Be unemployed and did not qualify for unemployment compensation or trade readjustment assistance under TAA and be enrolled in a program of training services under WIOA Section 134(c)(3). The level of a needs-related payment made to an adult or dislocated worker must not exceed the greater of: (1) The applicable weekly level of unemployment compensation benefits for participants who were eligible for unemployment compensation benefits; or (2) If such worker did not qualify for unemployment compensation, an amount equal to the poverty line for an equivalent period, which amount shall be adjusted to reflect changes in total family income Needs-related payments will be limited to $6.50 per hour in training, not to exceed 30 hours per week. The individual receiving training will be responsible to present the appropriate program services contractor(s) with verified time sheets in order to receive this payment. The supportive service limits above of $750 for adults and dislocated workers and $500 for youth do not apply to the needs-related payments. When additional grant funding outside of WIOA formula funding has been received and budgeted in the local workforce development area that allows for needs related payments to be paid as part of the grant, such funding can be used to provide needs related payments to participants. Some grants may require prior written approval by the federal project officer for needs-related payments to participants. As noted above, such payments can be provided as long as they do not exceed the applicable level of unemployment compensation; or if the worker did not qualify for unemployment compensation, an amount equal to the poverty line for an equivalent period, which amount shall be adjusted to reflect changes in total family income as required by federal law. 4

5 REFERENCE WIOA Section 134(d)(2,3) 20 CFR CFR HISTORY Name Date Rev Level Description of change Deb O Neil 08/07/2014 A Policy approved by new LWIB Deb O Neil 09/05/2014 B Policy changes per state recommendation Deb O Neil 04/02/2015 C Policy changes per state corrective action Deb O Neil 03/15/2017 D Added language under WIOA Deb O Neil 09/20/2017 E Added language re: additional grants may increase supportive service payments above $750 Deb O Neil 10/30/2017 F Added or deleted language per state review of policy Effective Date 04/15/ /09/ /13/ /08/2017 5